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Experiencing LIFE Today - Mar. 28, 2013

2013Mar 28

COMMENTS

Check the fine print

“He that falls into sin is a man; that grieves at it, is a saint; that boasteth of it, is a devil.”--Thomas Fuller

To someone who struggles with habitual sin, all the talk about being “dead to sin” might sound too good to be true—kind of like the late night TV infomercial that promises to clean your dog and restore worn out leatherand take inches off your thighs with one application and no effort if you buy by midnight on Friday. Yeah, right! Maybe it’s time to read a little of the fine print.

This is really important—don’t skip this paragraph! Being “dead to sin” doesn’t mean that sin is dead, or that we are immune to sin. In Romans 1-5 sin is a generally a verb, actions we do. Starting in Romans 6, sin is a noun, an entity. Indwelling sin, that internal voice that tempts us, is still alive and active in our lives even after we trust Christ. It is in us, but it is not who we are (like a sliver in my finger, it is in me, annoying, painful, but it is not “me.”)

The “voice” of indwelling sin is very real and because it comes from inside us, it leads many to believe we still have a sin nature. Our flesh (our desire to do things in our own strength, independent of God) is still responsive to sin. So even though we are in Christ and have His Spirit in our spirit. when the world, Satan, the flesh, and indwelling sin team up on us, the allure of sin is still a powerful force! Anytime we don’t choose to walk in the Spirit, BAMMO!—sin will follow. So yes, it’s going to happen, but this is the cool part:

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. —Romans 6:14

There is a huge difference between being vulnerable to sin and being mastered by it!

Jesus, thank You for forgiving all my past, present, and future sins. I realize that indwelling sin is still a powerful force in my life, but it is not who I am! So I praise You all the more that sin is not my master. I always have the choice to walk by Your Spirit! Make that choice a habit! Amen.

Satan roams back and forth across the earth looking for those he can devour – and that means you!

But take heart: he is defeated! That means, if you’re a believer, you don’t have to fear and can walk in freedom. Satan is no match for Jesus, and he’s no match for you because Jesus is living through you. Pete Briscoe has recorded a 7-message series called Disarming the Darkness to help you know more about Satan’s defeat and your triumph through Christ.

It’s available on CD and DVD this month as our gift to thank you for your online donation. So please request your copy of Disarming the Darkness below when you give to Telling the Truth today.

And thank you for your generous gifts and prayers helping us lead others to experience real Life in Christ!